Weekend Plantings: 'Dormancy Among Florida's Landscape Plants'

Thursday

Oct 11, 2012 at 8:29 PM

Folks new to Florida gardening are usually surprised to discover that so many of our landscape plants drop their leaves or die to the ground during the cool season. For some plants, such as tabebuia trees, this dormancy lasts just a few weeks, but others, including caladiums and native sycamore trees, remain dormant for months.

Folks new to Florida gardening are usually surprised to discover that so many of our landscape plants drop their leaves or die to the ground during the cool season. For some plants, such as tabebuia trees, this dormancy lasts just a few weeks, but others, including caladiums and native sycamore trees, remain dormant for months.

Spinach, one of the hardiest and most savory cool-season greens, performs well in containers if smaller-growing varieties such as "Melody" and "Baby's Leaf Hybrid" are planted. To add esthetic appeal, spinach can share containers with annuals or colorful foliage plants. Avoid having to water too frequently by using large containers or self-watering planters. Spinach planted now will yield tender greens until mid-spring.

AUTUMN LAWN CARE

Lawns can receive their fall application of fertilizer now. Use products with a 16-2-8, 15-0-15 or similar low-phosphorus formulas. Autumn fertilization rates can be half of what you provide in the warm season, especially if those nutrient-rich clippings were left on the turf (rather than raked up) throughout the year. Areas of lawn that are unsightly due to weed infestation, insect activity or fungal problems should be replaced with healthy turf. Left untreated, the problems are likely to worsen during winter. Be sure to irrigate new turf regularly until it's well established.

As for over-seeding with winter rye, a temporary grass that will fade out in late spring, it's best to wait until mid-November before broadcasting the seeds over your permanent turf. Use five pounds per thousand square feet. Rye grass requires frequent mowing and regular irrigation to look presentable.